INA, Ill. (Oct. 6, 2020)
Rend Lake College has announced its plan of attendance for students during the Spring 2021 semester, which will begin online on Jan. 11.
The plan follows many similar protocols that are being used during the current semester where most instruction is online with some in-person learning when needed. Visit rlc.edu/spring2021 for full details, as well as how to enroll and start the process for advisement and financial aid.
Spring and Summer 2021 Course Schedule
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This plan is subject to change at any time as the college monitors the COVID-19 situation. RLC will continue to follow guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Illinois Department of Public Health, and Illinois Community College Board. That means practicing social distancing, wearing masks and other measures to help prevent the spread of the virus. Restrictions may be lifted if pandemic conditions improve.
Students, faculty, staff and campus visitors are required to wear facial coverings at all times. Self-monitoring checklists are posted on all campus doors. Do not come to campus if you have been exposed to COVID-19 or have related symptoms.
Spring classes will begin as planned in an online, remote or hybrid format. Students will not be on campus for the first four weeks of the semester. Hybrid classes would begin face-to-face meetings on campus starting Feb. 8. A majority of the hybrid options are for courses where hands-on learning is a necessity. Classes are either 16 weeks, 12 weeks or 8 weeks long depending on the course.
Types of courses:
Online courses
A majority of lecture classes will be entirely online. Additionally, several lecture/lab courses have been approved for online delivery. Instructional materials, videos and assignments will be posted in Canvas with completion deadlines. Students will work through course material independently with communication and direction from RLC faculty.
Remote courses
These courses will be conducted via Zoom where students meet virtually for instruction at a scheduled time and date. The percentage of time spent online vs. remote will vary by course.
Hybrid courses
All courses that feature a face-to-face component will not meet on campus until Feb. 8 or later. A percentage of the class will be taught online or remote while another percentage will be in-person in a lab environment. How much of the class is taught face-to-face depends on the specific course.
Like the Fall 2020 semester, RLC is waiving its $20 per credit hour fee for online and hybrid classes this spring. A full-time student taking a 15-hour course load would save $300 for the semester in fees for online instruction.
If the online experience is not working out, students can drop the class within the first quarter of their session to receive a full refund. Otherwise, the drop date
not including the full refund
can be found here.
Spring textbooks and supplies may be ordered online beginning Dec. 1. Students need to sign in to their account at https://rlcforms.rlc.edu/.
Books may be shipped or picked up at the bookstore on a selected date. The bookstore will be open during regular business hours at a limited capacity.
Many dual credit classes originally scheduled as face-to-face instruction will move online via Canvas. Classes normally held on campus that cannot be offered completely online, such as auto, CAD and welding, will be canceled. High schools will be provided with alternative online courses as an option at no charge to the school students.
Classes taught by RLC instructors at individual high schools will be online or remote depending on the instructor’s preference. Dual credit classes taught at high schools by high school instructors will be at the individual high school’s discretion.
Spring break, originally scheduled for March 8, has been moved to the end of the semester. The last day of 16-week classes will be April 30.
A graduation ceremony is yet to be determined.
To see RLC’s complete plan for the Spring 2021 Semester, visit rlc.edu/spring2021. You can get your college experience started in three simple steps: enrollment, advisement and financial aid. Visit rlc.edu/spring2021 to learn more about signing up for classes or testing. Campus visits are still available on a limited basis by appointment. Call (618) 437-5321 to schedule an appointment.
"A virtual open house is being planned for Thursday, Nov. 19 from 6-8 p.m., and the details will be posted on RLC's website soon. This will be a great opportunity to ask questions about programs, meet faculty, virtually tour facilities, and receive assistance with enrollment and financial aid," said RLC Vice President of Instruction and Student Affairs Lori Ragland.
Beginning Jan. 4, campus offices are open 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
{slider Complete RLC Spring 2021 Plan - Updated 10/21/2020|info|closed}
The following plan is based on the known facts and predictions as of October 1, 2020, and is subject to change at any time. The pandemic will be closely monitored for the remainder of the academic year. CDC, IDPH, and ICCB guidelines will be followed, such as wearing masks, social distancing, wellness checks, etc. Special accommodations may be required. If at any point we reach Phase 5, consideration will be given to lift current restrictions.
Instruction
Spring semester will begin Monday, January 11, 2021, with online (asynchronous) or remote (synchronous) class meetings. Students will not be on campus for the first four weeks of the semester. Hybrid classes will begin face-to-face class meetings on campus starting Monday, February 8, 2021.
All remote classes will meet virtually via Zoom. Faculty will post in Canvas the Zoom meeting ID/link and the schedule of any approved face-to-face meetings.
Classes conducted online through Canvas. Students will work through course material independently with communication and direction of RLC faculty.
Class meetings are held synchronously via Zoom on the day and time indicated on the student’s schedule. The percentage of time spent online vs. remote will vary by course.
Classes meet partially on RLC’s campus and partially online/remote. The percentage of time spent on campus will vary by course. If needed, classes will be transitioned to fully online/remote.
Timeline for Spring 2021 Semester
October 2020
January 8 Student Success Day (virtual/small groups)
January 11 First day of spring semester
Jan 11-Feb 7 All classes meet virtually
no students on campus
Feb 8-May 7 Class meetings on campus as scheduled (faculty notify students in Canvas re: dates)
April 1 Last day of 12-week classes
April 30 Last day of 16-week classes
May 3-7 Final exams for 16-week classes
May 8 Graduation (TBD)
Athletics & Extra-Curricular Activities
Athletics and extra-curricular activities for spring will follow the guidelines of Rend Lake College. Each activity is being evaluated and specific guidance developed.
RLC Student Services
Student services will be provided either virtually or on campus following CDC and IDPH guidelines.
RLC Employees
As guidelines and circumstances change, monitoring who is on campus and their location is important due to capacity limitations and contact tracing. The President’s Executive Leadership Team (PELT) or their designee will work closely to assign and approve the presence of faculty and staff on campus. Employees are required to wear a face-covering/mask while working within six feet of others or moving about. Whether remote or on campus, staff and industrial faculty are expected to be available and perform job duties during the college’s business hours. Any exceptions to standard business hours must be approved by a PELT member. Duties performed remotely will be reported by the employee to the supervisor using the remote work report. Faculty are expected to perform job duties related to teaching schedule and hold office hours as assigned. Absence requests must be approved in advance by the employee’s supervisor. All employees are required to self-monitor their health status and notify supervisor immediately of COVID symptoms or exposure.
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{slider Important Student Information - Updated 10/21/2020|info|closed}
Due to COVID-19, changes have been made regarding spring semester and the academic calendar. Please review the updated information below. Throughout the semester, you are encouraged to check Warriormail and Canvas daily for specific guidance. Updates and changes to the following plan will be available on the RLC website and social media.
Spring Course Schedule
RLC In-Service - February 16 Good Friday - April 2
| Session |
First Day of Class |
Drop Date with Refund |
Midterm Date |
Final Drop Date |
Last Day of Class |
Final Exams |
| 16 Weeks |
January 11 |
February 5 |
March 5 |
April 30 |
April 30 |
Week of May 3 |
| 8 Week 1 |
January 11 |
January 22 |
February 5 |
February 26 |
March 5 |
Week of March 1 |
| 8 Week 2 |
March 8 |
March 19 |
April 1 |
April 30 |
April 30 |
Week of May 3 |
| 12 Weeks |
January 11 |
January 29 |
February 19 |
March 26 |
April 1 |
Week of March 29 |
| Intersession |
December 14 |
December 21 |
December 30 |
January 8 |
January 15 |
Week of Jan 11 |
Spring Semester Business Hours
Campus visits will be limited; appointments are strongly encouraged. Facial coverings are required at all times. Read through the self-monitoring checklist on campus doors prior to entering. Do not come to campus if you have been exposed to COVID-19 or have related symptoms.
RLC Bookstore
Learning Resource Center (LRC)
Food Service
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